Lucy Fitzgerald 
“People I Don’t Know” is a beautiful and quietly powerful release from Sketches of Carol. Based on a real-life moment—attending the funeral of someone she met only once—the song draws you in with a sense of honesty and emotional presence that feels deeply human.
It begins with gentle tension, capturing that familiar awkwardness of strangers gathering in grief, unsure of how to connect. As the track moves forward, it shifts into something more communal and tender. The feeling of people slowly opening up to each other is reflected in the music itself, which gradually unfolds and expands.
The voice of Sketches of Carol feels close and real, never overstated. The vocal layering is thoughtful and intimate, giving the song a soft strength. One of the standout moments is when the cello enters in the second half. Performed by Stephanie Tress, it flows through the track like a memory, adding warmth and emotion without ever overpowering.
The production, by Gonçalo Abrantes, keeps things simple and spacious. It lets the feeling behind the song come through without adding too much. Everything about the track seems to respect the story it tells. The line that stayed with me most was the final return to laughter—how it carries people through pain. That balance of sorrow and lightness makes the song feel honest in a way that hits home.
Go follow Sketches of Carol and don’t forget to add “People I Don’t Know” to your playlist. You’ll want to spend time with this one.
Listening to songs so you don’t have to! Just kidding :D, you totally should. Music blogger by day, nurse by night
